]]>http://allhiphop.com/2016/11/11/kenny-anderson-full-drink-champs-thirstythursday/feed/2356719Temperature’s Rising: Standing Ovation (SO)http://allhiphop.com/2015/12/06/temperatures-rising-standing-ovation-so/
http://allhiphop.com/2015/12/06/temperatures-rising-standing-ovation-so/#commentsSun, 06 Dec 2015 23:27:46 +0000http://allhiphop.com/?p=325785Read more »]]>A wise man once asked me “how can something be ‘retro’ if everybody ascribes to in the contemporary age>” That wise man was actually my 9 year old cousin, but I couldn’t help but think he had a good point. So many people rock retro Air Jordans nowadays that what’s the point of calling them retro in the first place? 9 year olds do a whole lot of bitching, wining, and loud noise when you are just trying to watch the Laker game without committing domestic homicide, but they are occasionally wise beyond their years.

Aside from hypebeasts making it their lifes’ mission to buy the 11’s in every possible colorway, artists that make it their mission to revisit the golden sounds of the past are most often times making a fruitful decision. Standing Ovation, also known as SO, consists of LA native The Character and producer Bronze Baby Shoes from Virginia. Exuding a smooth retro feel and Hip Hop that goes far beyond the genre’s traditional limits, SO are making a big splash with their new EP, Echo Park.

Described by one writer as “Full Moon Funk,” Echo Park is dripping with chemistry and features the duo pushing boundaries and inviting listeners to ponder the difficult questions about life, the universe and literally everything in between. Shrouded in mystery and endlessly engaging, Echo Park realizes moments of rap mastery interweaving nicely with ambient soundscapes that feel like they’re ripped straight from the 70s. Aside from the genre-bending sounds, there is something distinctly appealing about the SO experience that is sure to capture even the most hardened imagination.

]]>http://allhiphop.com/2015/12/06/temperatures-rising-standing-ovation-so/feed/2325785Temperature’s Rising: Apollohttp://allhiphop.com/2015/12/03/temperatures-rising-apollo/
http://allhiphop.com/2015/12/03/temperatures-rising-apollo/#commentsFri, 04 Dec 2015 00:20:44 +0000http://allhiphop.com/?p=325646Read more »]]>By now I’m entirely convinced that the various hospitals of Atlanta are in total cahoots with each other in their practices in the dark arts. Obviously Atlanta is a populous place with a lively culture, but that still doesn’t seem to account ridiculous amount of talent the city seems to produce on a steady basis. I’ve never really cared for Illuminati-esque conspiracy talk, and honestly feel that if you are willing to spend hours and hours of your time rewinding music video clips in the attempt to prove that some rapper’s random hand gesture is evidence of evil, then you should be sent required to play for the 76ers in eternal damnation. But not even I can deny that doctors in Hotlanta are clearly giving newborns some illegal antidote…no Travis Scott.

The latest talent to join the never-ending ATLien galaxy Killer Mike-Cyhi the Prynce-Soulja Boy-Jeezy-Future-Outkast-B.o.B-Gucci Mane-Rae Sremmurd-Young Dro-Cee Lo Green-K Camp-Rich Homie Quan-Migos-T.I.-2 Chainz-Bubba Sparxxx (ok I’ll stop) is Atlanta’s own Apollo. If your interweb game is strong, you may already know that Apollo is one half of superHERO, a crew I wrote about a few months ago in this very column upon the release of their surprisingly solid The Middle album. I originally wrote:

Beyond the pizzazz effect (after all, what really is pizzazz?) superHero are brashly pushing the boundaries on what hip hop can be by ushering in an extra level of aggression to make their beats all the more engaging, and furthermore, inspiring. With The Middle, essentially, superHero have optimized their lyrical content and implementation of hooks to put together a package the world has yet to witness. There is something strangely gravitational about what superHero do on The Middle, making for some of the most enjoyable hip hop I’ve heard this year.

(I’m posting this video again because this was my jam for a cool second, and also, it’s my column and I can do whatever the fuck I want).

Historically, the problem with duos that never really blow up is that the crew itself is identifiable, but the members themselves are not. Outkast is a perfect example of a group with two charismatic members who everyone knows. Like a tried, true, and wise ATLien, Apollo is avoiding that common pitfall by really giving the world an introduction to himself with The Otherside: An Art Exhibit a solo dolo expenditure…no Cudi, and especially not the wack ass version with Kendrick. But I digress.

By far my favorite component of the Apollo experience is just how evident it is that he is a true student of the game. At times he pulls from his bigger brothers Andre 3000 and Big Boi, and at other times he elects for a Kanye feel. Of course the ignorant will disagree, but the artist who truly studies the craft and pulls from so many disparate directions ultimately ends up creating something wholly original. And just superHERO’s The Middle pushed the boundaries of hip hop to ingenious places at times, Apollo is once again not only that his artistry cannot be handcuffed to genre-labels but even in the immensely crowded talent pool of ATL, the 21 year old is demanding attention.

Let’s face it, deep down everyone wants at least one time to tell their homies “MC ____ is about to blow!” and then finally watch it happen. Something tells me you would be making a wise bet with Apollo. I don’t always use the phrase “this shit goes” but…well, just play track 6 “Rolling” and decide for yourself.

And lucky for us, Apollo isn’t stingy. You can stream and download the entire record below.

]]>http://allhiphop.com/2015/12/03/temperatures-rising-apollo/feed/3325646Breeding Ground Spotlight: Atlanta’s Own DAEtrius Brings P.E.R.C.Y. Park to A3Chttp://allhiphop.com/2015/10/23/breeding-ground-spotlight-atlantas-own-daetrius-brings-p-e-r-c-y-park-to-a3c/
http://allhiphop.com/2015/10/23/breeding-ground-spotlight-atlantas-own-daetrius-brings-p-e-r-c-y-park-to-a3c/#commentsSat, 24 Oct 2015 01:43:40 +0000http://allhiphop.com/?p=321335Read more »]]>After performing on an A3C showcase, most artists network and “politick” by handing out CD’s, exchanging social media handles or handing out merch. Meet the artist who took to the streets of Edgewood Avenue during Atlanta’s A3C to give everyone a show after he stepped off stage (two showcases to be exact). His hustle and innovation led to immediate cosigns from Peter Rosenberg, DJ Greg Street and Trinidad James. World, meet DAEtrius and the #WHEREISPERCYPARK movement.

How do you feel about the Atlanta’s music scene?
Atlanta, is in a good place and sonically we are thriving. However, I feel like with diversity emerging in the Atlanta underground we could use The P.E.R.C.Y. PARK landscape as a contending frontrunner…music that touches the people. It’s why performing on a stage isn’t enough for me. Performing on the sound truck at A3C allowed me to get with the people.

What do you want your legacy to leave via music, art, etc…
I want my legacy to be authenticity, a true voice of the people. My art is for those who are searching for understanding and those that may be misunderstood or misrepresented…people who want to be understood and not interpreted. I feel like we all have so many layers. We’re all like fabric…on the surface appearing one way, but when you get up close, it’s we’re so intricate. It represents both who we are and who we’re becoming. I want to be a symbol of growth and a testament of understanding.

Explain the acronym/meaning behind P.E.R.C.Y Park.
P.E.R.C.Y. stands for a Portrayal of Emotions in ou(R) Careless Youth. Park symbolizes the fact that the world is a playground. We all live in P.E.R.C.Y. Park.

Favorite artist(s) and Why?
Jay Z , Outkast, and Tupac because they all embody the things that help shape my thinking: Charisma, Awareness and Authenticity.

Explain your music in one sentence.
My music is about choices, the place we reside between heaven and hell….both thoughtful and carefree.

]]>http://allhiphop.com/2015/10/23/breeding-ground-spotlight-atlantas-own-daetrius-brings-p-e-r-c-y-park-to-a3c/feed/1321335Breeding Ground Spotlight: I.B. Classic Breathes Life Into “When All Else Fails”http://allhiphop.com/2015/10/20/breeding-ground-spotlight-i-b-classic-breathes-life-into-when-all-else-fails/
http://allhiphop.com/2015/10/20/breeding-ground-spotlight-i-b-classic-breathes-life-into-when-all-else-fails/#commentsTue, 20 Oct 2015 17:55:34 +0000http://allhiphop.com/?p=320687Read more »]]>When he’s not pulling 10-hour shifts there’s only one other place that I.B. Classic gravitates towards, the studio. After spending the last year teaming up with some of the best in Chicago’s bubbling talent pool, the producer has finally come together to deliver his own full length debut titled When All Else Fails.

Fusing old school vibes with a new age grind, I.B. drew inspiration from a variety of legends like Smokey Robinson, Dr. Dre and even Phil Collins. The result? A smoldering project packed with features from some of Chicago’s best MCs including Saba, Logan, Young Lyxx, MC Tree and more. With an original production style that often incorporates live music, I.B. is gaining traction for bringing individuality back to the Windy City. Salute.

Refusing to fall prey to a taunting Tennessee environment, Blac Youngsta, has cultivated the reflective pen game that turns lyrics into a resounding testimony. Although shot hit during a drive-by, that bullet failed to stop the momentum that he created from his Fast Bricks trilogy. Fast forward to today, in his South Memphis streets, the emerging rapper is described as, “Heavy.”

The artistic acumen and unabashed honesty of Blac’s approach has earned him a coveted deal with Yo Gotti’sCMG imprint. “Blac Youngsta’s style is unique and he has the energy to be a great entertainer. His hustle and drive reminds me of myself, so I thought he’d be a perfect fit at CMG,” says Yo Gotti of his most recent signee.

Last week, on Tues. (Sept. 22), the Southern spitter was surprised with a stunning signing bonus. That’s right; while performing at the Minglewood Hall, Yo Gotti would hand Blac the keys to a chic Lamborghini Gallardo.

Is “Heavy” the first track that was played in the new ride, or was it another song from Blac Youngsta’s recent mixtape, I Swear To God?

]]>http://allhiphop.com/2015/09/29/blac-youngsta-gets-lambo-from-yo-gotti/feed/10313015Temperature’s Rising: Nick de la Hoydehttp://allhiphop.com/2015/09/20/temperatures-rising-nick-de-la-hoyde/
http://allhiphop.com/2015/09/20/temperatures-rising-nick-de-la-hoyde/#respondSun, 20 Sep 2015 17:33:29 +0000http://allhiphop.com/?p=311683Read more »]]>Last night I attended a birthday party for one of my cousins. Although the party was adult-themed, there were of course a few kids in attendance. Long story short, with a twelve year old being responsible for the DJ duties, I got the chance to see what the kids were listening to these days on their select Pandora stations. The age of a music critic is akin to dog years, but everything I heard seemed to mesh together as some sort of extended techno-pop beat with various crooners taking center stage. The songs were catchy, but the singers seemed to lack a certain thing to turns a song into music. What they were missing was passion.

I must admit, Nick de la Hoyde does not have a name that easily rolls off the tongue like T-Pain or R.Kelly. However, like those latter folks, he makes the same type of jams that inevitably become stuck in one’s head. I wrote about Nick in this very same column at the beginning of the year, following the release of his single “The Longest Way,” and later, “By My Side.” Aside from AHH, he has also been featured in a significant number of online magazines including The Source, Pop Scoop, Essentially Pop, The Examiner, Shockya.com, PopCityLifeMusic, WeDoItForTheLoveOfMusic, and All Access Magazine. Despite the fact that Nick makes pop-sounding songs, there is a clear degree of passion in his work, and the release of his appropriately titled Passion EP is further proof.

Passion is an impressive debut EP. Nick’s real-talk-centric lyrical content is only rivaled by an equally emotive sonic mesh, combining the talents of brothers and production duo Joseph & John de la Hoyde as well as renowned Hip Hop producer Lemoyne ‘LA’ Alexander. The result is a unique melding pot; pop and alternative rock evoking visions of the future while still deeply embedded in the past. As I touched on before, “By My Side” is a testament to this blend, combining a light-hearted groove with a deeply moving hook to express Nick’s affliction with music as a source of both passion and expression.

You can stream the entire Passion EP below.

And as always, make sure to follow Nick de la Hoyde’s movements on the interwebs:

]]>http://allhiphop.com/2015/09/20/temperatures-rising-nick-de-la-hoyde/feed/0311683Temperature’s Rising: superHEROhttp://allhiphop.com/2015/09/13/temperatures-rising-superhero/
http://allhiphop.com/2015/09/13/temperatures-rising-superhero/#respondSun, 13 Sep 2015 23:47:35 +0000http://allhiphop.com/?p=310686Read more »]]>I don’t care what anyone says…the pop singers of the 90’s were far superior to whatever the hell the kids are listening to today. A greatest hits album of The Backstreet Boys shits all over anything that One Direction, Selena Gomez, or The Jonas Brothers have released. I’ll admit, if God put me in a cave and gave me 24 hours to think of the name of a song by either of these artists, I wouldn’t be able to. (I do remember that One Direction had a song a while back that was all over the radio, but I can’t even remember the name of it at the moment, honest to God). Why don’t I just Google it right now, you ask? Because my mother taught me not to waste time looking for waste. Whatever it was, I’m 100% sure it couldn’t hold “I Want It That Way’s” metaphorical jockstrap. Which, if you think about it, is the ultimate diss. Not a lot of people would want to hold another person’s jockstrap even if they really could carry it, but not being able to hold something that doesn’t really exist is the lowest of the low.

Honestly, the previous paragraph (or rant) is 1 degree away from being a non sequitur, or maybe less, as it doesn’t have all that much to do with superHero. But unlike a lot of 90’s babies, superHero definitely don’t take themselves too seriously, and their debut album, entitled The Middle, is reminiscent of Kidz In The Hall combined with Madvillian MF DOOM and a splash of Madlib during the Quasimoto days. I won’t lie, when I first saw the video of “Lifted,” I missed the dope music being played because I was so distracted by the outfits. However, these dudes, hailing from Hotlanta (the birthplace of some of the most unique acts of the genre) have skill. Stripped down lyricism with a few flashy frills, superHero has, appropriately enough, a superhero theme, with the duo never hesitating to sample from classic superhero movies and share their love of the genre. It makes for cinematic listening a la early Wu-Tang records, and adds a further degree of pizzazz to the duo’s arrangements.

Beyond the pizzazz effect (after all, what really is pizzazz?) superHero are brashly pushing the boundaries on what hip hop can be by ushering in an extra level of aggression to make their beats all the more engaging, and furthermore, inspiring. With The Middle, essentially, superHero have optimized their lyrical content and implementation of hooks to put together a package the world has yet to witness. There is something strangely gravitational about what superHero do on The Middle, making for some of the most enjoyable hip hop I’ve heard this year.

You can stream The Middle below:

As always, if you are feeling superHero, make sure to track their movements on the interwebs:

]]>http://allhiphop.com/2015/09/13/temperatures-rising-superhero/feed/0310686Temperature’s Rising: Jelani Lateef “Manhood Talk”http://allhiphop.com/2015/09/13/temperatures-rising-jelani-lateef-manhood-talk/
http://allhiphop.com/2015/09/13/temperatures-rising-jelani-lateef-manhood-talk/#commentsSun, 13 Sep 2015 22:15:06 +0000http://allhiphop.com/?p=310672Read more »]]>A few months ago, in May to be exact, I wrote a “Temperature’s Rising” piece about Jelani Lateef. You may be asking yourself, “Why are you writing another article about Jelani?” Well, I’ll answer that question by not answering at all and instead saying this. This is my column. I write about whatever the fuck I want to. In college, when you were nursing a hangover and watching reruns of The Tim and Eric Show, I was nursing a hangover while reading hella long Greek tragedies by people like Euripides, Sophocles, and Aristophanes. I wrote long 10+ page essays twice a week about things like Shakespeare’s Macbeth or Beowulf. In short, the life of the English/Writing major is far from glamorous, and neither is the life of a professional journalist. But there are some perks. Now I have my own column on AHH, where, like I said so elegantly before, I can say whatever the fuck I want.

As I detailed in my last article, Jelani Lateef’s life story is one for the ages, which undoubtedly resonates in his music. I have only an ounce of faith that you will actually read both articles, because unless you decide (or decided) to subject yourself to torture and study English Literature for four years that is too much reading (not to sound condescending, sometimes I wish I too wasn’t stricken with the writer’s curse). Anyways, I’ll copy & paste it here, 99.9% word for word (because it’s NFL football Sunday and on this day an American-blooded man is allowed to be lazy).

Born and raised in Chicago, IL, (of course one of hip hop’s holy meccas) Jelani Lateef aka J Fury has a career spanning more than a decade. Best known for his thought-provoking lyricism and witty wordplay, Jelani has been a mainstay in the Chicago rap community, despite Chicago being a city chock-full of brilliant artists. Jelani has expanded from just being a rapper to a producer and CEO as well. In 2010, the mother of Jelani’s daughter died of cancer, leaving him a single parent. After recovering from this traumatic and life-changing episode, Jelani started Manhood Ent. The idea was to create a brand that represented men stepping to the plate and handling responsibility. The mission statement for the company is: “Striving to be a popular source of music and entertainment, while portraying men in a positive, powerful and inspirational light”. In addition to making music, Jelani has committed endless hours to outreach and mentoring young men and women, in hopes of inspiring them to lead a positive and productive lifestyle.

“Most rappers speak on servin’ them rocks
So you don’t want to hear about a nigga punchin’ the clock“
-Jelani Lateef, “Manhood Talk”

I’m in my mid-20’s, still considered a “young” adult by some people, but I increasingly find myself gravitating toward music like this that has a “real” message attached. While this problem has always excited, I feel that a lot of hip hop fans take the rappers themselves too seriously, which leads to a lot of high school kids thinking they need to do everything Young Thug or Rich Homie Quan glorify in their raps. Let’s take the latter for instance. I love listening to Quan even though he is not necessarily the most righteous rapper around, but when I take the headphones out or turn my car off, I realize that what I listening to is for entertainment purposes. The odds are stacked way against you if you have the idea that you are going to be able to make it as a rich rapper, even though it’s not impossible obviously if you are willing to study the craft. However, when you are working part-time, popping Molly, and selling drugs not for survival purposes but to purchase exclusive Jordan sneakers, you are taking this rap shit dangerously serious, and need to listen to Jay’s “Ignorant Shit” until you memorize it. Jelani’s “Manhood Talk” is not going to be on the radio, BET, VH1, or MTV (even when/if they decide to play music) but it is the kind of song that carries a poignant message more young men to hear.

Since May, Jelani’s Cold Days and Dark Nights album has been a mainstay in my personal playlist. With a certified lunatic (Donald Trump) following absurd statements after the next, and an influx of stories about people in positions of power using their power for selfish/cruel means, the insightful and positive message Jelani offers on Cold Days and Dark Nights has been extremely therapeutic. currently in rotation along with Lupe’s Tetsuo & Youth, Kendrick’s To Pimp A Butterfly, Wale’s The Album About Nothing, Chance & The Social Experiment’s Surf, Dr. Dre’s Compton: A Soundtrack, and Big Sean’s Dark Sky Paradise. I’m usually telling other people to track up-and-coming artists’ movements on the interwebs, but ever since May I’ve been the tracking Jelani’s movements (no Craiglist killer/creep). I posted this is in the last article, but you can check out the full album below:

In 2015, there are a multitude of brilliant artists who have yet to really see the light of the mainstream, which completely baffles me. Off the top of my head, Freddie Gibbs, Curren$y, Young Roddy, Big K.R.I.T., Stalley, Ab-Soul, and the list goes on and on. Luckily, we have the internet, so who gives a shit about the radio? I imagine Jelani will be apart of the aforementioned class of emcees, steadily releasing real/dope shit that goes completely unnoticed by people that have Tyga in their top 10, but regardless, if you’re feeling “Manhood Talk” and the Cold Days and Dark Nights, make sure to track Jelani’s movements on the interwebs (again, no Craiglist killer/creep).

]]>http://allhiphop.com/2015/09/13/temperatures-rising-jelani-lateef-manhood-talk/feed/1310672Temperature’s Rising: Nave “Cosby Kids”http://allhiphop.com/2015/09/13/temperatures-rising-nave-cosby-kids/
http://allhiphop.com/2015/09/13/temperatures-rising-nave-cosby-kids/#respondSun, 13 Sep 2015 21:03:48 +0000http://allhiphop.com/?p=310668Read more »]]>Today, as you well know, is the debut of NFL Sunday for the 2015 season. Right now you are rightfully obliterating your 25th buffalo wing with a Bud Light in the other hand prepared to wash it down. Aside from praising the Lord, this is what Sundays are for. This is the day when men (and women) can keep their button-downs and slacks in the closet in favor of a stained wife beater or jersey and embrace the bliss of uncivilized behavior. 99.9% of all NFL fans are extremely curious to see what the Philadelphia Eagles will do this season. During Chip Kelly’s tenure as head coach, the team has parted ways with DeSean Jackson, LeSean Mccoy, Jeremy Maclin, and their quarterback Nick Foles. They are now starting Sam Bradford at quarterback, and even if you aren’t an obsessive St. Louis Rams fan like me, you know that in the past Bradford has been so injury prone that if one were to sneeze too loud within slight vicinity of him, he would go down with a season-ending injury. And Bradford’s backup, just in case the aforementioned scenario does happen and Bradford somehow tears a third ACL and defies what we’ve previously thought about human anatomy (humans only have two) is Mark Sanchez. Approaching his seventh year in the league, Sanchez’s greatest accomplishment as a professional is dating Meadow Soprano, and his greatest failure would vary depending on who you talked to, but most would say his infamous “butt fumble” against the Patriots (in Sanchez’s defense, maybe the ball was deflated). To put it short, Chip Kelly is either a mad scientist or just plain mad, and The Eagles’ season is going to be a must-see spectacle.

But Chip and his “revolutionary” techniques aren’t the only things buzzing in Philly at the moment (Lord knows the Sixers aren’t buzzing anytime soon). As everyone knows, Philly has long produced premiere hip hop talent like Beanie Sigel, Meek Mill, Will Smith, and of course the group of Chip Kelly-esque mad scientists the legendary Roots crew. Nave is in the process of making major moves to add his name to that legendary fold. He has already performed at the World Cafe Live venues in both Philly and Delaware. A veteran of the BKS1 Radio BBQ in New Jersey, Nave seems like he’s going places and seems to grasp the finite details of what it takes for an artist to maneuver his way to the top of the hip hop ranks while keeping his creativity in tact in the process. Nave is not a variation of the word “naive.” Not in the slightest.

I first came across Nave not long ago when I heard his new single “Cosby Kids.” Even more so than The Fresh Prince or arguably Ben Franklin (might be a stretch, but hey, so is starting a supremely injury prone quarterback), Bill Cosby might very well be the most famous Philadelphian in the year 2015. Surprisingly, the single was written months before the Bill Cosby scandal and therefore does not address it in the song itself. However, the video is a stunning criticism of the drama surrounding Bill Cosby and exhibits an insightful message about a man who most of the nation once regarded as a hero not very long ago at all.

Nave commented on his own video on Youtube, stating: “Holistically, the video represents the simplicity of childhood and how things change when we get older but the girls also represent how Nave’s memories of Cosby are tainted. And ultimately that’s the risk of romanticizing the past, knowing that things may not have been quite what they seemed.”

Functioning as just a mere taste of the delectable Espresso Nave, Nave speaks to the human condition with “Cosby Kids” and soon, will leave even the most casual hip hop fans begging for more. Unlike rappers attempting to make it big without an ounce of love for the craft, Nave seems to grasp the importance of the genre in a worldly scope, and it is evident in his music.

If you’re feeling Nave’s “Cosby Kids” and the video, make sure to stay tuned for Espresso Nave. You can preview it below:

And as always, if you’re feeling Nave but naive, make sure to follow his movements on the interwebs:

]]>http://allhiphop.com/2015/09/13/temperatures-rising-nave-cosby-kids/feed/0310668Temperature’s Rising: Rhawn Bhttp://allhiphop.com/2015/09/13/temperatures-rising-rhawn-b/
http://allhiphop.com/2015/09/13/temperatures-rising-rhawn-b/#respondSun, 13 Sep 2015 19:37:38 +0000http://allhiphop.com/?p=310657Read more »]]>With Kendrick Lamar releasing arguably the album of the year with To Pimp A Butterfly, and Dr. Dre’s recent masterpiece Compton: A Soundtrack, and of course the N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton, it seems like Compton has once again become the star city of the great state of California. In a larger scope, southern California hip hop, after a grueling drought, has finally risen once again. As I mentioned in my interview with Compton’s own Billionaire Buck, there is a multitude of young, talented SoCal artists in the game such as Billionaire Buck, Vince Stapes, Cassey Veggies, Kendrick, Skeme, ScHoolboy Q, Nipsey Hussle, YG, Tyler Tha Creator, Problem, Mellowhype, DJ Mustard, Pac Div, Ab-Soul, Kid Ink, Earl Sweatshirt, Jay Rock as well as OG’s like The Game, Madlib, Snoop Dogg, Dilated Peoples, Daz Dillinger, Kurupt, Suga Free, Warren G, Cube, W.C., DJ Quik, and Dr. Dre.

Although he was raised about 20 minutes north of Compton, it will be only a matter of time before Inglewood native Rhawn B joins that list of talented SoCal emcees. Expensive Ignorance is the highly anticipated new record from Rhawn B. of U.D. fame (Uniquely Divided). Looking to join the likes of legendary producers like Dre and Daz, this skilled young producer/artist/engineer, and Founder of UDMusic Group is a graduate of The Los Angeles Film Institute. Rhawn B has performed at Roxy, Viper Room, Club Nokia, On The Rox, Key Club, Airliner, and other venues throughout California, and has become known for his vicious energy on stage and his ability to rock the crowd. Opening for the variegated likes of The Pharcyde, YG, Phife Dog, Juvenile, DJ Quik, Dogg Pound, Mack 10, and the Ying Yang Twins, many a concert goer has gone to a _______ show and left being more impressed with Rhawn B.

Editor’s Note: Since I’m an enormous fan of all those groups (except of course for the Ying Yang Twins) I’m not going to fill that blank in. If it was Tyga I would have no problem. But then again, if I’m ever in a position where I’m purchasing Tyga concert tickets, rest assured all my mental faculties have been wiped clean.

According to Rhawn B, his work is “artsy” and “creative” hip hop. Obviously, that doesn’t mean diddly-squat, so he elaborated: “I’m excited about this project, life experiences helped to develop this CD into what it is….. I made some expensive mistakes in life and had to learn from my ignorance the hard way. I had to cut some people off in order to move forward. My fans stayed loyal, in fact my fan base grew. I had to re-focus my energy and revamp my artistry. I feel like this whole process with the album is a new personal growth for me; It felt great to be able to produce, record, and engineer the entire project.” It’s worth mentioning that BLVCKVMISH co-produced a couple of the tracks on Expensive Ignorance; Rey Little, Wessy West, T. Bailey, and D. Real are also featured on the project.

Rhawn B wanted his official release to be dope and personal, like the Cali masters/perfectionists before him. But Expensive Ignorance isn’t merely a “Westcoast” album, but one designed so that everyone can gravitate. Instead of adhering to manipulative tastes of record label executives, Rhawn B clearly wanted to craft an album dripping with realism, not merely project a contrived image; According to him: “If I don’t own it, it’s not displayed in my video.”

If you are interested in adding another Cali artist to your brand new iPhone 6s, and in 2015, why wouldn’t you? You can stream Expensive Ignorance below.

http://rippletunes.com/album/Rhawn-B/Expensive-Ignorance/975106083/t0

If you’re feeling Rhawn B and his U.D. crew, make sure to track his movements on the interwebs:

]]>http://allhiphop.com/2015/09/13/temperatures-rising-rhawn-b/feed/0310657Temperature’s Rising: We R The Losthttp://allhiphop.com/2015/09/13/temperatures-rising-we-r-the-lost/
http://allhiphop.com/2015/09/13/temperatures-rising-we-r-the-lost/#respondSun, 13 Sep 2015 18:34:08 +0000http://allhiphop.com/?p=310646Read more »]]>What the fuck is going on in Milwaukee? Up until 2014, I never once thought about Milwaukee or even Wisconsin as a real state, only one of those placeholders on the U.S. map that make places like California, Texas, New York, or Louisiana look all the more luminous. I really can’t explain my ignorance, as like you probably did, I grew up watching “That 70’s Show” and pre-creep Brett Favre throw touchdown after touchdown with a bunch of fans screaming with cheese hats. I even remember the Ray Allen Milwaukee Bucks’ days, before he went on to shoot corner treys with seemingly 100% precision for every other team in the NBA. That’s all sports related, but ever since Jabari Parker and Jason Kidd headed over to The Bucks, the hip hop scene in Milwaukee has blossomed. As I sit here watching Matt Forte of the Chicago Bears run in for a goal line score against The Green Bay Packers, with newly hired John Fox screaming from the sidelines, hoping the Bears won’t be the “WE ARE LOST” team of a year ago, I am compelled to write about (yes) some more hot Milwaukee hip hop, We R The Lost.

We R The Lost mastermind Jon Briggz has come forth to unintentionally form a movement, not about Milwaukee awareness education, but reaching out and giving a sense of meaning to not only his crew but fans as well. Embracing A Tribe Called Quest feel, Briggz is educated in the art of moving bonita applebum butts with dance-minded tracks, but also skilled in intellectual excursions with lyrics to go. The combination allows for an instinctive intellectual travel through the paths of rhythm, and hot sex on a platter for when the time calls for it. We R The Lost’s new record Still Lost sees the group coming together to form impactful hip hop that runs the gamut of emotions and ideas. Able to place party anthems next to political epics, the duo are nothing short of fascinating. In a time when hip hop artists are able to experiment like never before, yet many are content to ride the rehashed wheel to success, it’s exceedingly easy to appreciate a group like We R The Lost.

Jon Briggz never intended to start a movement when he formed The Lost with his brothers and close friends. He merely wanted to express the way they lived. A rebuttal to the criticisms levied at him and his friends for their party first attitude, perceived lack of drive and indifference to academics, politics and religion. While others negatively labeled him and his friends as lost, Jon Briggz decided to embrace and embody the concept.The result was two mixtapes and countless freestyles recorded over a two year period and released by various members of The Lost. Jon Briggz and The Lost performed in local venues and shot several videos for the various projects during this time. However, without leadership and guidance, the vision of The Lost became lost itself in the distractions of life and the group went their separate ways. As each member struggled alone they realized that their message resonated beyond their close circle. The stories of others who felt lost was something each one of them related to. Much like them, the individuals they met were looking for something that was missing, something they couldn’t quite figure out on their own. Each member came to the conclusion that the concept of The Lost was much bigger than them, and from the ashes of the former group, We R The Lost was formed.

Using powerful soundscapes alongside hard hitting rhythms, We R The Lost are similar to artists like Lupe Fiasco and Logic. In terms of flow, their clear enunciation gives their rhyme schemes a Masta Ace/Eminem vibe. To bite Jay, a lot of rappers scribble down on a notepad and create their lives, but when listening to We R The Lost you get a real sense of legitimacy in their music, which is probably why their music has resonated so strongly in their local scene (a locale a didn’t give two shits about up until a year ago). As the focal point for this rapidly growing Milwaukee hip hop scene, Briggz and his posse are already planning more projects to put Milwaukee on the hip hop map. Who knows? There could be a very well be a future scenario where Milwaukee hip hop is on its own award tour.

Despite all the overused Tribe references, I am no rap promoter, so if you dig the jams below then please clap along.

If you’re feeling the beats, rhymes, and life of Jon Briggz & We R The Lost, check their rhymes/movements on the interwebs:

]]>http://allhiphop.com/2015/09/13/temperatures-rising-we-r-the-lost/feed/0310646Temperature’s Rising: Dave Childzhttp://allhiphop.com/2015/09/13/temperatures-rising-dave-childz/
http://allhiphop.com/2015/09/13/temperatures-rising-dave-childz/#respondSun, 13 Sep 2015 16:19:36 +0000http://allhiphop.com/?p=310637Read more »]]>Even the casual hip hop fan knows that most rappers love sports. If you don’t have a slightly above average knowledge of the NFL and NBA, Wale’s verses might sound like complete gibberish to you. But in many ways, hip hop is just like professional sports, with every emcee trying to prove they are the greatest as an athlete would. On the flipside, that flipside being the journalists like myself that nobody really cares about, my job increasingly becomes similar to a NFL recruiter. I constantly receive requests from rappers to please listen to their demo (no EPMD) but more times than not these emcees aren’t at all ready for the big leagues. Hint for all aspiring rappers: Breath control may not sound like a big deal, but it most certainly is. Nobody wants to hear you gasping for air after every bar. Check out old Lupe Fiasco records (albeit still brilliant) and then check out The Cool and notice the difference.

But I digress. A catchy single will only get you so far, as the many one hit wonders would proclaim if their voices weren’t wholly muted by milk box obscurity. For the millions of prospective rappers that don’t appreciate the finite skills it takes to be a star (breath control, flowing to the beat and not away from it, etc) there is a rapper like J. Cole who comes into the league already equipped to run a Pro-Style offense even in his warming up stage. Similarly, Dave Childz is one of those once in a lifetime up and comers who has what it takes to make a huge impact.

Out of all the artists that I’ve written about for this column, I can say with absolute certainty that Dave Childz is the cream of the crop. Dave Childz was born in the birthplace of hip hop, The Bronx, New York, and it shows. By infusing his New York background, eclectic taste in music, and life experiences, he has developed his own unique sound. Accompanied with his own style of production, melodic hooks, and lyrical flows, he has created a soundtrack to life; evidenced by tracks like his self-produced single “Forever Real”. Dave Childz has experienced growing notoriety and success with each release; meanwhile developing a cult-like following for himself and his ATF.L brand.

His recent EP, Forever Real, sounds like a blend of The Weeknd, Drake, A$AP Rocky J. Cole, and a dash of Kanye. Using the kind of down to earth rap that has marked the careers of some of the biggest acts in the game like Cole and Kid Cudi, Chilz provides a soundtrack to not only his own life, but the milennial listener’s as well. Childz is clearly turned on to the more profound realities of the genre and its place in the 21st century, as by far the most influential genre on the planet currently. Given his unique musical background and diverse tastes it makes sense that D Childz could create something so wonderfully genre breaking. The deeper you dig into Forever Real the more evident it becomes that D Childz is a golden voice for a new generation. Despite a laundry list of transparent influences, his style is 100% authentic, and reflects a wholly different breed of talent than the dregs of Top 40 radio. Deliciously atmospheric and filled with endless layers that demand multiple listens to be picked apart– Dave Childz has created an incredible LP, which you can stream for free below:

I have a feeling that in a year’s time, Childz will be a household name. If you feel like me, make sure to track his movements on the interwebs.

]]>http://allhiphop.com/2015/09/13/temperatures-rising-dave-childz/feed/0310637Temperature’s Rising: Frank Petershttp://allhiphop.com/2015/08/23/temperatures-rising-frank-peters/
http://allhiphop.com/2015/08/23/temperatures-rising-frank-peters/#respondSun, 23 Aug 2015 21:59:59 +0000http://allhiphop.com/?p=307420Read more »]]>Drake and Meek shocked the world when they engaged in a heated battle on wax, so much so that NPR even felt compelled to weigh in on the story. In the 90’s, aggression in hip-hop was the norm, but somewhere in the mid-2000’s it devolved into mainly “party music,” without an ounce of ingenuity of Kurtis Blow or Dougie Fresh. However, in the last few years, rappers put a high premium on aggressive lyrics, and emcee’s are once again hungry to compete to be unanimously named the “greatest rapper alive.”

While most of the hip-hop world has never heard of Frank Peters, his music is imbued with that same sort of raw energy that the genre had been missing for an extended period of time. And unlike D4L and the like, Peters’ “party music” has an edge to it– equipped with real-talk in place of the standard contrived lyrics that litter the radio. In 2013, he was named by both VH1 and MTV as “Artist To Watch,” and has opened for the likes of Juicy J, Lil Kim, and Afroman (yes, he is still around). Back in 2005, he got his first real wind after headlining Urban Exposure in London. For Peters, music should encompass life itself– fun at times but also cognizant of the unfortunate realities we are all forced to deal with from time to time.

Although he has been in the game quite a while, his star is steadily rising: “There’s no quitting, if I was gonna do that I would have done that a long time ago. My music is new, fresh and chock full of Cha”RIZZ”ma.” With a minimum of twelve singles listed on Reverbnation, along with almost twenty hip hop videos floating around on Youtube, it is safe to say that Frank Peters could be hip-hop’s next big thing. According to Cynthia Kahn (no, not Chaka Chaka Kahn), Founder of Amused Now Entertainment: “I listened to all Frank Peters’ songs on ReverbNation and his approach to rap is quite unique My favorite single is Getting It In, because he leads with one of my favorite Led Zeppelin songs Living Loving Maid (She’s Just A Woman), something you definitely would not expect to hear from a rap artist. I also love Frank Peters’ single Until 2Marrow, because of the amazing singing by Venom Vendetta, the song’s producer, at the beginning of the song and throughout the chorus. Frank Peters is extremely talented.”

With the release of 2015’s Fifty Shades of Frank, Peters is looking to capitalize on his current momentum, while simultaneously introducing himself to the people who might not be aware of his music, such as “American Interlude.” Not quite like any of his previous projects, the album features a plethora of flows and catchy instrumentals, like the perfect meshed-vibe of “Ambitionz.” However, there be no better example of Peters’ overall agenda (fusing the old-school party aesthetic of early hip-hop with gritty lyricism) than “Get It Right.” Everyday, I’m flooded with tweets by rappers/beatmakers trying to get on, so I listen to more amateurish sounding music than a healthy person should. However, Peters’ Fifty Shades of Frank is honestly one of the most intriguing projects I’ve come across this year. But who gives a fuck what I think? Listen for yourselves.

Almost forgot. If you are a fellow digger of Peters’ music, make sure to follow his movements on the interwebs:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FrankPetersMusicTwitter: https://twitter.com/frankpeters430

Words infused with accumulated wisdom, credible experiences, and an expansive perspective, Locksmith, is dedicated to using his voice as an MC to uplift and to inspire others. With the release of his latest album, Lofty Goals, the representative of Richmond, CA continues to demonstrate his prodigious command of the English language. Whether battling other lyricists and spewing devastating bars, or taking an introspective journey to his soul, the outcome is often the same, timeless art is produced at his will.

Exuding his candid composure, Locksmith, opens up to AllHipHop about his latest album. The UC Berkleey graduate also reflects on TDE and Kendrick Lamar’s rise in mainstream success, and his thoughts on the legendary indie icon, E-40.

If your supporters were challenged to discover your core on Labyrinth, and A Thousand Cuts reinforced your determination to go against the grain; what do you hope that the public will receive from your latest album, Lofty Goals?

I’m just hoping to inspire; that’s what this album is most about. A lot of the songs are about me and have to do with me, but what I also had in mind to do was inspire others. My life is the only life that I live. I’m trying to use my life and experiences to inspire ;and hopefully help people to solve their problems – and find a way out of their problems. I want to let them know that they can find their way out of their problems; or, anything that they’re chained up to.

On the album, what track is the most personal and resonates the most with you?

They’re all pretty personal, but I would say a song called “Boxes.” It’s the very reflection of the time period between my last album and this album. So, a lot of things changed. I was in a relationship for quite some time. When I completed the last album, you know, we decided to not move forward in our relationship. So, at that time a lot of things were going on. With me being an artist, the only way I know how to deal with it is to write about it. That’s what I did; I wrote about it. At that time, that song is summing up everything I was going through.

Do you ever feel like you were creatively ahead of your time and that people are just now catching on to things that you were doing years ago?

Sometimes, if you want to push the culture forward sometimes you have to step out there. I just follow what I feel creatively. There are some things that are going on right now that I’m inspired. There are some things, from my own creative influences and my life experiences, that I just want to put out there. Sometimes, at the time the audience may not know how to grasp it at first. That’s fine, but as an artist you have to believe in what you do and remain steadfast in what you believe. Hopefully, people will catch up to you.

In recent years, the West Coast has again demanded the spotlight; what are your thoughts on that? Why do you believe there’s a divide between Northern and Southern Cali lyricists?

I think it’s great. It brings to mind, TDE. More specifically, it brings to mind Kendrick Lamar, who I think is a phenomenal artist. When I first heard him back in 2011 I was a huge fan. I went to one of his early shows in New York when Section .80 just came out. It was before Aftermath and all that stuff. There was a buzz. I remember going to the show. I was in awe of the whole thing. Me and my boy stood in line and went and enjoyed the show. It made it even more special that it was somebody from the West Coast out in New York City having his own show. For me, It was inspiring.

Then I got more in tune with a bunch of other cats like Dom Kennedy and YG – I’m specifically talking about Southern California right now – they’re part of the new school that’s coming up. It’s dope. That’s a great thing; that momentum and energy is solidified – it’s not going anywhere. Kendrick has had his mainstream success. Other cats like Dom Kennedy have had huge independent success, and there’s everything in between. It’s great; that opens the door for all of the West Coast.

At the same time, being from the Bay Area is a lot different from Southern California. California is so geographically large – it’s probably two-thirds as large as the East Coast. On the East Coast, you can drive for six hours and go through five different states. Recently, I was on tour and did a bunch of shows and I drove for three hours and I went through like four different states…Whereas, with California, you can drive for six hours and you’re still in California. We’re very much related, but culturally there is a significant difference. Los Angeles has an entertainment industry. There they make movies and they have major record companies. In the Bay Area we have Silicon Valley. As far as the entertainment and music industry it’s not as large. So we have more of an independent attitude that was developed early on.

Our attitude and our approach towards our music may be a little bit different. I think we may be a little bit more diverse than L.A. In that sense, we’re a more like New York. Whereas New York is diverse, California is even more diverse and in a lot of way it’s more liberal. It’s a different dynamic; so, you’re going to get a different aspect when you’re talking the Bay Area or Southern California.

Have you worked with E-40 or Nipsey Hussle?

Back in the past, I may have done something with E-40. I know E-40 well. I think he’s a giant and one of the smartest artists in the game. In his own right he’s a genius. To be around this long and to be relevant is incredible. He is self-made; it was just incredible to watch him. I’ve seen it; to have that proximity and watch [his success] has been incredible. For him to still be doing it on that level is inspiring. Nipsey is another guy who was major and shows that you can do it on the indie route. He’s paving the way for independent artists. I think it’s awesome.

Until the next time we’re able to converse, is there anything else you’d like to share with AllHipHop?

If you want to hear some sincere music, take out some time and listen to my new album, Lofty Goals.

]]>http://allhiphop.com/2015/08/10/locksmith-lofty-goals/feed/1305379YP on Meeting Nas: He Believes I’ll Help Push Hip-Hop Forwardhttp://allhiphop.com/2015/06/22/yp-talks-metting-nas/
http://allhiphop.com/2015/06/22/yp-talks-metting-nas/#respondMon, 22 Jun 2015 14:30:31 +0000http://allhiphop.com/?p=296935“[Q-] Tip done told me that you’re dope, and I done checked you,” YP relates to AllHipHop what Hip-Hop icon, Nas, had to say about the Chicago native’s work. ” Meeting one’s Hip-Hop heroes can either be a jubilant experience or one that turns out to be dangerously fraudulent — for YP who recently dropped his Untitled EP — it turned out to be a truly invigorating one.

As he opens up about the surreal situation of conversing with the “Ether” MC, the “Let Us Pray” lyricist explains that Nas also told him, “I appreciate what you’re doing for the culture. Man, you’re gonna be one of the ones that push it forward.” Check out the full clip to find out which artists help arrange this motivational memory.

]]>http://allhiphop.com/2015/06/22/yp-talks-metting-nas/feed/0296935Silverfoxx ETO – Stacked Watershttp://allhiphop.com/2015/05/21/silverfoxx-eto-stacked-waters/
http://allhiphop.com/2015/05/21/silverfoxx-eto-stacked-waters/#commentsThu, 21 May 2015 20:58:45 +0000http://allhiphop.com/?p=292089Bringing you a new sound to kick back and vibe to, this latest sound comes from Silverfoxx ETO, check out his latest EP “Stacked Waters”. Support good music !

If you like what you hear feel free to contact the artist via social media:

Standing firmly on two sturdy legs Depp refuses to look to a relative to pave his way. This AllHipHop exclusive poignantly expresses his stance on everything from maintaining a healthy penis, releasing his next project, Should’a Been An Album 3, and sharing his perspective on surviving being shot.

Given the potential and possibility that you possess, how do you continue to challenge yourself to make an impact while striving to remain humble?

Just knowing how powerful my music is it puts me in a humble state. When I don’t call everybody whose number is in my phone like, ‘Yo, bro can you do this favor for me. Yo, I need you,’ or, ‘Can I come to your show?’ Yo, I don’t do none of that. I just know what I got to do. And I work on what I got to do. Remaining humble it plays a big part into what I do. If I wasn’t humble I probably would have jumped out the window 20 times already. Just the fact that I didn’t and nobody knows what I’m capable of doing I feel more powerful. Everybody thinks I fell off or I stopped rapping, but once they get a load of this sh*t.

Right now, I got a single out “Buss A Move.” I did a joint venture deal with TNF the record label. They had put out that record. That’s the first single off the tape. I’m treating the tape like an album. I got so much confidence in it. I know what I’m capable of doing. With these mixtape records I’m going to have everybody wondering why I put so much good music on a mixtape. But, I have a following already that’s looking forward to hearing them. They’re looking forward to the next Shoulda Been An Album: 3.

Up to this day, when I’m out and about in the streets – when I bump into people in the streets that’s all they talk about. ‘I didn’t get part one, but I love part 2,’ or, ‘I didn’t get part 2 yet, but part 1 is my sh*t.’ That’s the only reason I stuck to the title, Shoulda Been An Album, because the 3 is my last tape. I feel like this is my last mixtape. If they don’t get the point after these projects, then fu*k it maybe I should be a songwriter. I’ll never stop doing what I do. I’ve been doing this for 12 years. It’s just timing. I’ve been humble this whole time.

You’ve had the experience of growing up with Jam Master Jay’s nephew and your cousin, Lloyd Banks, is an essential part of G-Unit. Initially, what about Hip-Hop compelled you to contribute your efforts to the genre; so far, what’s been your favorite Hip-Hop memory?

I’ve been humble from a kid watching 50 Cent and the whole G-Unit. I’ve been in that circle since I was a kid. They helped a lot. Just with me being from the neighborhood. I’ve lived on Hollis. I’m from Southside of Jamaica Queens. I’ve got a lot of experience of just being so close to them guys. Every neighborhood that I’ve lived in I’ve looked up to somebody. Everybody had their own person that they looked up to. I happened to be on both sides where we looked up to people like the Lost Boyz them being Southside dudes. And then Biggie, Puff, 50 Cents and them guys. So, that was a lot of motivation.

But my greatest Hip-Hop memory is tied to Summer Jamm 2011 when I performed on stage with Julez. I didn’t have my own record at the time, just the energy of me running out on that stage — that’s been my greatest impact in Hip-Hop.

A tenacious work-ethic combined with organic talent has perhaps delivered you to the eve of your creative revolution. Being an independent MC requires investing a tremendous amount of energy into your profession. Regarding your creative, financial, spiritual, and physical health what do you do in order to operate to your fullest capacity?

Good question. It’s a part of what I said earlier with remaining humble, but I study the industry. I read books – just things to keep me ahead – like with my wordplay just certain things to keep me hip to what’s going on. I grew up in a holy household. My grandma and everybody is Catholic. Help from God has put me in the position I’m in. He gave me he drive that I do have. I feel like I don’t talk to Him as much I need to though. Sometimes just going to church is not enough. When I’m waking up I don’t pray as much as I need to. I thank God for everything that I do have and for everything that I do have coming.

I’m still getting booked for features, and for little things like walk-throughs. I invest my money into certain things to where it comes back. I put everything towards my music, though. I hardly buy gear; I only buy clothes. Everything is studio time – buying beats, or for the production –everything goes towards the music. Any little money I make or profit goes straight to my career, definitely. I make sure I work out. I go to the juice bar and things like that. When it’s time to go to the club that’s when I get my system dirty. I use protection every time. I’m not a big fan on raw sex or sh*t like that. I use protection and not just for the babies for the rabies, too.

[laughs] According to Mr. Ruiz, as you use the mic to share your evolving maturation as a man and as an MC is there anything you’re unwilling to share your thoughts on?

Yeah, glorifying the whole fact that I got shot. That’s not the message that I’m trying to put out there to people. I’m not that type of guy. I was the victim in the situation. There are certain people that look at these different interviews and they act on what they see. And they believe what they see. They think you got to behave a certain way to get somewhere in life.

Basically, you don’t have to get shot to be a rapper. I’m not trying to glorify that whole situation. I’m totally against what happened. It’s not cool. If this is your dream there’s other ways to go about it. You don’t have to get shot. Some people think it’s cool like, ‘Yo, you got hit?’ What if I wasn’t here. My leg is okay. I still got the bullet in it though. When it gets like real cold outside, you know, my leg tends to numb up on me in that certain area where the bullet is. But I’m getting it removed sometime later this year.

]]>http://allhiphop.com/2015/03/05/john-depp-throw-banz/feed/6277765BREEDING GROUND SHOWCASE: Roosh Williams Is Simply "Unorthodox"http://allhiphop.com/2015/02/23/roosh-williams-is-simply-unorthodox/
http://allhiphop.com/2015/02/23/roosh-williams-is-simply-unorthodox/#commentsTue, 24 Feb 2015 04:13:10 +0000http://allhiphop.com/?p=277002Forget what you thought you knew about the booming indie scene in Texas. While legends like DJ Screw, Scarface, Fat Pat, Lil KeKe, Paul Wall, Slim Thug and more have left legacies that can’t be recreated, there’s a new generation that has now taken the reigns, setting themselves apart by reinventing Houston’s signature sound.

Enter Roosh Williams.

Creatively combining fast spitting with potent lyrics, it’s easy to see how he gained an entire legion of fans before even signing an official deal, whatever it is he’s got it. On the eve of his new album Unorthodox, he sat down to break it all down for us.

AllHipHop: Your life almost took an entirely different path, you were in college when you got into the game right?

Roosh Williams: I actually started recording my freestyles on a computer when I was in 6th grade and made my first cd in 9th grade. Eventually I went to UT (University of Texas-Austin) to study communication. My original plan was to get a communication degree and then go to law school.

AllHipHop: What turned you from student to artist?

Roosh Williams: I had kept doing music in college and just spread my name. Once I started recording again it just started spreading across campus and then I met the people with Scoremore. I started getting booked. I was opening for Curren$y, Juvenile, Bun B, Chitty Bang…just recording and trying to juggle studying. I was studying to take the LSAT and walked out halfway through.

AllHipHop: That’s a leap of faith. How did your family feel about you dropping out of school?

Roosh Williams: My parents wanted me to pursue law school and still do, but I started making money rapping and I was just running everything myself. It’s definitely different in Austin, out there I was one of the most known on the underground scene. I graduated in 2011 and moved back to Houston but realized that a lot of people didn’t know who I was the way that they did in Austin. I had to start all over again.

AllHipHop: You recently linked up with Scarface again for “Deep End” and have already collaborated with a number of artists including Bubba Sparxxx, Action Bronson, Emilio Rojas and more. Are there any that stick out for you?

Roosh Williams: I’ve got to say Scarface, GT Garza and of course Killa Kyleon. I dropped “No Hard Feelings” with Killa and got booked for three shows that weekend. One of my favorite collabs has been with (fellow Houston emcee) Doughbeezy. I met Dough I think about 4 years ago and he’s showed me love from jump, he’s always had my back. Never asked for anything.

AllHipHop: You’ve been credited with being extremely versatile with your flows, how would you describe your individual sound?

Roosh Williams: I’m unorthodox. That’s how I named the album. I’m definitely not a traditional Houston sound, which is why being in Houston is so difficult sometimes. The way I sound here is not the norm. People keep trying to recreate what Houston’s known for but it’s just not like that anymore. It’s just the same old shit. I’m all about cadence and I’m all about content. Someone with southern roots but influenced by all different kinds of sounds, from Detroit to the East and West Coast. I’m just a weird cat, I’m a weird human being.

AllHipHop: What’s a common misconception about Roosh?

Roosh Williams: Man. I feel like people that don’t know me may take my demeanor the wrong way. It doesn’t bother me but I do get a lot of comparisons to white rappers, I’m not even white though. (He’s actually Persian.) It’s like people are just misinformed. If I was the “trust fund hipster” people thought I was, I wouldn’t be here I’d be gone. (laughs.)

AllHipHop: Music is a crazy industry. Have you considered any other paths in the game or do you think about returning to school down the line?

Roosh Williams: It’s a little of both. I feel like it’s going to happen but I’m always open to a Plan B. I wouldn’t count on going back to maybe law school but I feel like I built my name up enough to where I don’t have to do as much running around and can actually focus more on music. When I put something out I’m confident in it.

Check out the Trackksounds produced and GT Garza assisted “Whip It” below:

]]>http://allhiphop.com/2015/02/23/roosh-williams-is-simply-unorthodox/feed/5277002Heat For The Weekend: Franc Grams "Same Me New Year New Money 2"http://allhiphop.com/2015/01/02/heat-for-the-weekend-franc-grams-same-me-new-year-new-money-2/
http://allhiphop.com/2015/01/02/heat-for-the-weekend-franc-grams-same-me-new-year-new-money-2/#commentsSat, 03 Jan 2015 03:44:45 +0000http://allhiphop.com/?p=270020Kicking off the year with new music, Franc Grams shines on “Same Me New Year New Money 2.” Produced by Lando Beats, the freestyle comes shortly after his debut album, The Premonition.

]]>http://allhiphop.com/2015/01/02/heat-for-the-weekend-franc-grams-same-me-new-year-new-money-2/feed/4270020Elcee – HU$TLE [Viral Music Video]http://allhiphop.com/2014/12/21/elcee-hutle-viral-music-video/
http://allhiphop.com/2014/12/21/elcee-hutle-viral-music-video/#commentsSun, 21 Dec 2014 21:36:27 +0000http://allhiphop.com/?p=268781Read more »]]>Just when you thought it was the end of 2014, Elcee The Artist comes through yet again with another banger to send fans into the New Year with heads fully bobbin’. Just after dropping the independent critically-acclaimed album LeoSoul, it was straight back to the studio for the dedicated artist. Elcee gives us a little teaser for what’s in store with his upcoming mixtape #ManeStream. Video shot and directed by Toronto’s very own GLVDIOLU$ with music produced by Mike F. The Hitman, fans get a glimpse of the forthcoming single HU$TLE laced over some gorgeous Black & White clippings. With a hit like this, we can expect Elcee’s next project #ManeStream to be a truly Future Hip-Hop experience with the authentic Toronto sound music lovers all over the world have grown to love at its roots—Expect its release early 2015.

]]>http://allhiphop.com/2014/10/12/sunday-homage-it-aint-hard-to-tell-x-emcee-menace-breeding-grounds-artist/feed/1259877AllHipHop.com Shows Up And Shows Out At The Lincoln Park Music Festivalhttp://allhiphop.com/2014/08/03/allhiphop-com-lincoln-park-music-festival/
http://allhiphop.com/2014/08/03/allhiphop-com-lincoln-park-music-festival/#commentsMon, 04 Aug 2014 03:11:37 +0000http://allhiphop.com/?p=250732Read more »]]>On Sunday July 27th the city of Newark, NJ came out to the Lincoln Park Music Festival to hear some dope artists spit fire bars and they were not disappointed!

The Breeding Ground portion of the show was hosted by AllHipHop.com‘s own CEO Chuck Creekmur and BG Editor Skyyhook.

Newark residents who are known for being a tough crowd to win over, totally lived up to their reputation! However, it was a good thing because the Breeding Ground artists that performed had to dig deep and give the crowd everything they had which in turn made for a dynamite show!

One by one artists stepped up to walk the Hip Hop plank…and as they got to the stage they went for broke! The show was all the better for it! It was nothing but lyrical gold. Every single artists went in and the hot, humidity ravaged crowd was there to bare witness!

The performances by Rasheed Chappell, Rebel Diaz, Audible Doctor, Senica Da Misfit, Jasiri X, Mitch Littlez, Joyner Lucas, YC The Cynic, Final Outlaw, Silent Knight, JY, Chris Skillz and Soul Khan made AllHipHop.com so proud because we strive for excellence and these artists demonstrated that they are absolutely everything that we’ve ever claimed them to be!

Even fellow Lincoln Park Music Festival show host Ed Lover was impressed! Ed is not easy to win over so when he took to the stage and showed love for what our artists put forth….we were ecstatic!

We must thank the entire staff responsible for putting together the show and for keeping it running on that day! The dedication from everyone was amazing!

Our hats definitely go off to our brother Doitall Du from the legendary group Lords Of The Underground! He flew in from the other side of the globe to be there that day. He invited us out to be a part of the festivities and we are grateful for the opportunity!

Thanks again to the residents of Newark for keeping it funky not just at the show but all year long! We had a blast and we hope you did too! We are proud to be a part of the Newark community and we look forward to seeing everyone next summer to do it all over again!